Say Goodbye to By-Product Fillers and Additives: The Benefits of a Fresh, Whole Pet Food Diet

Natural food options are on the decline in the human food chain, and it’s rarer in pet food.  A new study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has determined that 60% of human foods purchased by Americans contain food additives including coloring or flavoring agents, preservatives, and sweeteners.

If human food is packed with additives, what’s in your pet’s food?  As a pet owner/guardian, your furry family depends on you to provide them with the best possible nutrition — they only eat what you feed them.  

Many traditional pet foods are packed with by-products, fillers, and additives that can have negative effects on your pet’s health. In this article, we’ll explore the downside of highly processed pet foods and the benefits of a fresh, natural, biologically appropriate whole food diet for your dog or cat.

Potential Hazards of By-Products, Fillers, and Additives

By-products are the parts of an animal that can’t be used for human consumption, such as organs like lungs and stomach, feet, fur, bones, beaks, and worse. These by-products are often used in pet food as a cheap source of protein. However, they can also contain harmful contaminants, such as antibiotics, hormones, and recently, euthanasia drugs, all of which can be passed on to your pet.

Cheap plant fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy are commonly used in pet food to bulk up the product as a non-meat protein source, reducing ingredient costs, but can contribute to chronic diseases like diabetes.  Additionally, these grain fillers can cause allergic reactions in pets, leading to skin rashes, itching, and ear infections. Additives such as artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors are also added to enhance the taste and appearance of the food.  We’ve all heard of Red Dye #40 and the health impacts of these seemingly harmless additives; the price of dressing up unappetizing highly processed food.

There’s no question highly processed by-products, fillers, and additives have the potential to be harmful to your pet’s health.  There’s a range of conditions that may develop, from digestive issues, allergies, and even cancer. Just take the commonly used pet food preservatives, BHA and BHT, which have been linked to cancer in animals [Ref https://oehha.ca.gov/media/bha.pdf]

Health Benefits of a Fresh, Natural, Biologically Appropriate Whole Food Diet

A fresh, natural, biologically appropriate whole food diet can provide numerous health benefits for your pet. Biologically appropriate diets are based on the natural diet of your pet’s ancestors, and can help to maintain a healthy weight, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Fresh, whole foods are naturally loaded with essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help to support your pet’s immune system and overall health. Additionally, quality fresh foods are free from harmful contaminants and additives, making them a safer and healthier choice for your pet.

Raw and Gently Cooked Food Options

Fetching Foods offers two main types of fresh, whole pet food: raw and gently cooked. High quality, human-grade raw food diets consist of uncooked meats, while gently cooked diets are made from the same lightly cooked meats but cooked at a low temperature to preserve the heat-sensitive nutrients. 

Raw food diets are popular among pet owners who want to provide their dog or cat with a top quality biologically appropriate diet. However, raw food diets can be time-consuming to prepare properly and require additional handling steps.

Gently cooked diets offer a more convenient alternative to raw food diets. These diets are made from the same high-quality, human-grade ingredients as the raw but are lightly cooked to retain their nutritional value, in contrast to high-temperature processing used for canned and kibble foods which require supplementation with synthetic vitamins and minerals to replace what’s lost during processing.

Choosing All-Natural, By-Product, Filler, and Additive Free Pet Food

When choosing a fresh, whole pet food, it’s important to look for all-natural, by-product, filler, and additive free options. Our human-grade, all-natural pet foods are made from high-quality, minimally processed whole ingredients that are free from harmful contaminants and additives.

By choosing a by-product, filler, and additive free pet food, you can ensure that your pet is getting the highest quality nutrition possible.  Additionally, by avoiding fillers and additives, you can reduce the risk of digestive issues, allergies, several chronic diseases, and other health problems in your pet.

Transitioning Your Pet to a Fresh, Whole Food Diet

Transitioning your pet to a fresh, whole food diet can be a gradual process that takes several weeks, or it can be completed almost immediately, depending on your pet’s digestive system. It’s important to introduce new foods slowly until you know how your pet will react, then monitor your pet’s reaction to ensure that they are tolerating the new diet well.

Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with your pet’s current food, and gradually increase the amount over several days. If your pet experiences any digestive issues or other health problems during the transition, roll back the transition, and if necessary, consult with your veterinarian.

Comparing Fresh, Whole Pet Food to Traditional Pet Food Options

Fresh, whole pet food offers numerous advantages over traditional pet food options. Traditional pet foods are often highly processed, and can be filled with by-products, fillers, and additives that can have negative effects on your pet’s health.  Further, because of the highly processed nature of traditional pet foods, synthetic nutrients need to be added into the food to replace what’s been processed out.  Synthetic, or lab-produced vitamins and minerals, can be difficult to digest and cause various issues.

Fresh, whole pet foods are made from natural, biologically appropriate ingredients that provide essential nutrition without the need to supplement with unnatural ingredients that may carry contaminants and additives. Additionally, fresh, whole pet foods can help to maintain a healthy weight, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

The Fetching Foods Approach to Fresh, Whole Pet Food

At Fetching Foods, we believe that every pet deserves the highest quality nutrition possible. That’s why we offer a range of fresh, whole pet food options that are made from high-quality, human-grade ingredients.

Our raw and gently cooked pet foods are free from by-products, fillers, and additives. Our foods are designed to provide your pet with a biologically appropriate diet that supports their full health and wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fresh, Whole Dog and Cat Food Diets

• Q: Is raw pet food safe?
• A: Raw pet food is safe if handled and prepared correctly.  Every animal on the planet eats a fresh, raw diet, free of additives and fillers, except for humans and their pets.
• Q: How do I know if my pet is tolerating their new diet?
• A: Monitor your pet’s behavior, appetite, and digestion during the transition period. This is the food they’d eat naturally — their body is designed for this diet. 

Conclusion: Making the Switch to Fresh, Whole Pet Food for a Healthier and Happier Pet

By choosing a fresh, natural, biologically appropriate whole food diet for your dog or cat, you can provide them with the highest quality nutrition possible. Fresh, human-food based, whole pet foods are free from harmful contaminants and additives, and can help to maintain a healthy weight, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.

At Fetching Foods, we offer a range of raw and gently cooked pet food options that are made from high-quality, human-grade ingredients. By making the switch to fresh, whole pet food, you can improve your pet’s overall health and wellbeing, and enjoy a happier, more energetic, and more vibrant companion. Make the switch today and see the difference for yourself!