Showing posts with label brown rice in cat food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brown rice in cat food. Show all posts
Thursday, January 17, 2019

3 Reasons NOT To Feed Your Cat Dry Food



Cats are natural carnivores so eating meat is biologically essential for their survival.  However, for domesticated cats, the ingredients in most commercial cat foods do not meet their natural nutritional needs.  

3 Reasons Feeding a Dry Food Diet to Your Cat Can Be Problematic

1. Dehydration- In the wild, cats hunt and consume prey that contains approximately 70% water. They rely on getting most of their water from their food. Dry food only contains about 10% water and since cats tend to be "water avoiders" this could lead to dehydration.  Dehydration and low moisture diets have been linked to FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) and other urinary problems such as crystals and chronic infections.  Senior cats are prone to dehydration and can also develop Kidney Disease   If your cat does develop kidney disease, it's essential to feed a high moisture diet and use a few natural supplements to support their kidneys.

Renelix - Renelix  is a highly effective kidney detoxification natural remedy that helps the kidneys excrete toxins from the kidneys and urinary tract.  

Kidney Health Protein Support Formula -- Breaks down protein and improves metabolism of protein taking the workload off the kidneys.  Just sprinkle on your pet's food.


2.  Obesity- Cats are carnivores yet most dry kibbles list starchy carbohydrates as one of the first ingredients.  Carbohydrates spike insulin, increasing hunger and raising sugar levels.  Consuming dry foods frequently contributes to obesity in cats, especially if cats are free-fed.  Feeding a high-moisture, high-protein diet, low carbohydrate diet such as a raw frozen or canned food diet can help your cat maintain a healthy weight.


3. Too Many Carbohydrates - Dry kibble requires starchy carbohydrates to be used in the manufacturing process. Examples of carbohydrates in cat food include brown rice, potatoes, tapioca, wheat gluten or other grains in the manufacturing process.  The starchy carbohydrates in dry kibble are hard to digest and the added sugar weakens immunity.  Many cats with IBD have been fed dry kibble that not only contains unnecessary starchy carbohydrates but other fillers and chemicals.  As an alternative to kibble, freeze dried raw diets can be used (mixed with water and/or canned food) because they are not made with starchy carbohydrates.  

Click here to learn more about pet nutrition and holistic care for your pet. 




Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Brown Rice--Is It Healthy For Your Cat or Dog?


Rice is one of the world’s most popular foods, is a major component of many people’s diet and often considered a “comfort” food, but should it be for your pet? It is important for us to remember that what is considered a “healthy” diet for humans does not always translate to be the same for our canine and feline companions.  Brown Rice is less processed than white rice and is produced by harvesting the seeds running the rice through a rice huller that removes the outer grain husk.  White rice has the added step of removing the germ and the inner husk which then removes even more nutrients and fiber.
Why Is Rice An Ingredient Dog and Cat Food?
Many pet food companies use rice as a “healthy” inexpensive carbohydrate that has less incident of being an allergen then other grains such as corn. It is a filler that can bring up the protein percentage on the label INSTEAD of using the more costly real meat, fish or poultry.   “Premium” brands may market the fact they use brown rice or even organic brown rice as a benefit, but the fact is, the rice is still a replacement for the real nutrition a pet needs.   Feeding brown rice and starchy carbohydrates can affect the pet's overall nutritional balance contributing to obesity, yeast overgrowth, diabetes and a weakened immune system Most pet nutritionists agree that dogs (and cats) were originally meat-eaters and although they have become more “domesticated”, this still holds true. Cats are carnivores and do not need carbohydrates while dogs thrive when their diet consists of minimal carbohydrates.

Effects of Rice on Your Pet's Health
If your pet is showing signs of itching, licking, chewing, digestive problems, urinary tract infections, hypothyroidism (dogs), hyperthyroidism (cats), upper respiratiory infections and so on (the list goes on and on), grains such as rice, no matter how wonderful they sound for you to eat, should not be a part of your pet's.  The ONLY time rice may be helpful (and even then our preference would be to feed sweet potatoes instead) is when the pet requires a low protein diet due to kidney failure or liver disease. Yes, there are plenty of exceptions where some pets seem to do just fine on diets with plenty of grains, but as a general rule, grains such as rice contribute to inflammation and an increased carbohydrate load.

Avoid Rice AND Grains In Your Pet's Food and Treats
We do not recommend feeding your pets treats or pet foods containing brown rice or any rice. Just a few examples of cat and dog food brands that contain rice:  Rachael Ray Nutrish Canidae Life Stages, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets, Nature's Recipe Limited Ingredient,  Nutro Wholesome Essentials, California Naturals Dry,  Simply Nourish, Royal Canin and Hills Prescription Diets, Purina ProPlan and many, many more.

askariel1@gmail.com
Have A Question About Your Pet's Well Being? Read our articles about pet nutrition or email us at support@askariel.com  Please be sure to include your pet's diet on the order form at checkout and our nutritionist will include a diet suggestion for your pet on the order packing slip that comes with your product directions.