E248- You Won't Believe What's Found In Your Dog's Food! Amy Zalneraitis
Mar 10, 2024
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Discover the truth about what's in your dog's food, explore the benefits of feeding dogs raw food, learn about the evolution of We Feed Raw, and uncover the challenges in the raw dog food industry. Dive into the safety of dog food manufacturing with innovative technologies and the importance of promoting healthy and natural dog diets with locally sourced ingredients.
Educating pet parents is crucial to dispel misconceptions and encourage a switch to a healthier, species-appropriate diet for dogs.
Understanding the detrimental effects of processed dog food on dogs' health underscores the importance of opting for fresher, more natural nutritional options.
Dogs' anatomical features and evolutionary traits suggest that a primarily raw meat diet is biologically appropriate for them.
Employing cold pressurization in raw pet food production ensures safety standards and maintains the quality and reliability of the products.
Choosing natural diets for dogs, such as raw meat, can proactively prevent future health issues and enhance a dog's physical and mental well-being.
Deep dives
The Evolution of We Feed Raw
We Feed Raw, a direct-to-consumer raw meal plan service for dogs, was founded by Elissa in 2009 due to a widespread pet food recall causing concerns over nutrition. Elissa's passion for raw feeding grew as she started making meals for her own dogs and friends' pets, leading to organic growth of the business. After her passing in 2014, family members took over the company, ensuring its survival and growth into a successful brand.
Challenges Transitioning to Raw Food
Transitioning to raw dog food can face hurdles due to misinformation and fear-mongering about the safety and benefits. Vets may lack education on raw feeding, leading to skepticism and caution among pet owners. Educating pet parents is key to overcoming misconceptions and encouraging the switch to a healthier, species-appropriate diet for their dogs.
The Risks of Ultra-Processed Kibble
Kibble, commonly packed with low-quality ingredients, highly refined carbs, and subject to high-heat processing, poses significant health risks for dogs. Chemical compounds created during processing, like AGEs, are linked to cancer and other diseases. Understanding the detrimental effects of processed dog food on dogs' health underscores the importance of opting for fresher, more natural nutritional options.
Nutritional Needs Based on Canine Anatomy
Dogs' anatomical features, such as sharp teeth, short digestive tracts, and high acidity stomachs, indicate their carnivorous nature. Wolves' evolutionary diet, which dogs retain traits for, suggests raw meat is a biologically appropriate food source. Modern dogs' adaptation to digest limited starch does not negate their primal need for a primarily raw meat diet.
Ensuring Safety in Raw Dog Food
We Feed Raw employs cold pressurization to neutralize potential pathogens in raw pet food, ensuring safety standards. With FDA's stringent regulations on pathogenic bacteria, utilizing natural methods to prevent contamination helps maintain the quality and reliability of raw pet food products.
Importance of HPP Process for Food Safety
The podcast discusses the HPP process used in producing safer food, especially for vulnerable groups like children and immunocompromised individuals. The process involves cold water, high pressure, and BPA-free packaging to eliminate harmful pathogens. By adhering to FDA guidelines and utilizing HPP, companies ensure food safety and compliance, preventing potential recalls and maintaining trust.
Quality and Cost Considerations in Raw Food Production
The episode highlights the higher cost of producing raw pet food compared to conventional kibble. The quality of raw food, sourced from trusted US farms and grass-fed sources, justifies the higher prices due to superior ingredients and processing methods. The discussion delves into the differences in pricing between raw and kibble foods, emphasizing the value of quality and nutrition over mass-produced, cheaper alternatives.
Challenges and Misinformation in Pet Health Industry
The podcast addresses challenges faced by pet owners in navigating the pet health industry, including misinformation and conflicting advice from sources like veterinarians, behaviorists, and trainers. There's a focus on the importance of understanding each professional's role, such as veterinarians diagnosing health issues and behaviorists addressing behavior problems. The episode advocates for an informed approach to pet care, avoiding rigid ideologies and seeking comprehensive solutions for pet health and well-being.
Importance of Opting for Natural Dog Diets
The podcast emphasizes the significance of choosing natural diets for dogs, highlighting the potential health benefits. Switching from processed kibble to fresh, nutrient-dense foods like raw meat is encouraged as a proactive approach to prevent future health issues in dogs. The discussion delves into the impact of diet on a dog's overall well-being, emphasizing the role of nutrition in enhancing a dog's physical and mental health. By offering alternatives and educating dog owners about the benefits of natural diets, the podcast underscores the importance of making informed choices for canine companions.
Community Influence on Pet Nutrition Choices
The podcast explores how communities and shared experiences influence pet owners' choices regarding pet nutrition. It discusses the transition towards fresher and less processed food options for pets driven by consumer demand. The episode highlights the shift towards natural and healthier alternatives in pet food selections based on personal experiences and community recommendations. By addressing the impact of collective knowledge and peer influence, the podcast reflects on the evolving trends in pet nutrition and the importance of informed decision-making for pet owners.
Host of the No Bad Dogs Podcast, Tom Davis, talks with Co-Founder Of We Feed Raw, Amy Zalneraitias. This podcast is to simply shed light on what's going on behind the closed doors of the major kibble companies.
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