In the wake of the commercial pet food scare, I have been overwhelmed with requests for information on fresh food for pets. I believe this is a very positive outcome to a very unfortunate event because it has made the public aware that there are many ways to feed their beloved pets other than tipping out the contents of a packet into a bowl.
The truth is every pancake has two sides, and together with the never ending saga regarding nutrition we can clearly place this contentious issue right alongside religion and politics!

Fresh is healthy

Most of us are extremely health conscious nowadays and would never consider feeding our families a diet of fast or processed food because we know the results can be catastrophic.  And yet it’s often the ‘health freaks’ who adopt a double standard when it comes to feeding their pets. No matter how one spells it out, the fact remains that packet or tinned pet food is processed food! And fresh food is fresh food!
And if you choose to feed the fresh, you should not be made to feel guilty because it is your right to make a free choice. Furthermore, you should be given unbiased information and not be coerced into doing what’s in the best interest of the retailer!

A fresh diet is cost effective

The trick to feeding fresh food is that it must be species appropriate … and the results will be bright eyes and bushy tails and more spending money in your pocket.
For the past 30 years I have fed my animals only fresh, raw food and I can assure you it’s quick, easy and extremely cost effective. And yes, my pets all live long healthy lives and die of old age.
So if you decide to feed a fresh, natural diet, this article  is for you.

In the old days, before pellets, vets recommended:

•  1/3 grain/pasta + 1/3 vegetables +1/3 meat/chicken/organ meat/offal
• Cook grain/pasta and veggies together and add meat when nearly ready
• Freeze in meal size containers for the week
• Feed raw, juicy bones once a day

Nowadays homeopathic vets. recommend: The BARF diet (Bones And Raw Food)

• 50% of diet, meaty bones,
• Keep starchy foods to a minimum.
• Plenty of raw green, leafy vegetable mush (finely shredded)
• Regular, small amounts of raw organ meat.
• Raw, red meat /white meat /fish/ eggs /offal/ fat.

Reference: Give Your Dog A Bone by Dr. Ian Billinghurst.