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Issue - v2000_01 Book Review: A book for raw foodies: Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Diet is a great introduction to raw foods for your dogs and cats. Kymythy Schultze is considered one of the experts on raw foods. She's been a trainer, breeder, groomer, veterinary assistant and wildlife rehabilitator. She studied canine nutrition at Cornell University, and earned a certificate in Clinical Nutrition. She lectures on holistic care for dogs and cats, and is the Editor of the Holistic Dog and Cat Newsletter. The book talks about her concepts of "species-appropriate nutrition" -- feeding dogs as though they were in the wild. This translates to lots of raw meat, very little in the way of carbohydrates (ground vegetables are fine), and plenty of raw bones. This, she suggests, is like a "prey animal" a dog or cat would eat in the wild. Schultze provides a weekly plan for feeding raw foods, and suggests buying the food at a health food supermarket. She advocates one day of fasting per week, too. Her suggestions include raw muscle meat, pulped vegetables, and supplements of kelp or alfalfa, cod-liver oil, fatty acid supplements, and vitamin C. Add some organ meat or raw egg weekly. All of these ingredients are ground and mixed. Raw turkey or chicken necks or backs are given daily as dessert. Bacteria, by the way, is not a problem. "Remember what species you are feeding it to," she says. "Dog's and cat's digestive systems have evolved over millions of years to get the nutrients necessary for good health from raw meat. Their digestive system is short and acidic, perfect for handling bacteria. And you know how much some of them relish something old and really gross!" Going shopping for the ingredients was a freeing experience. Our gourmet supermarket did have it all, but some mid-range supermarkets didn't. I found stores in ethnic neighborhoods were more likely to have the backs and necks. Our dogs absolutely loved the frozen raw turkey necks. At about 60¢ each, they were the cheapest and safest bones I've ever fed. Going raw is certainly a different experience after decades of feeding cheap and good commercial dry food. There's something about it that makes you feel good ... except for the higher cost and lack of convenience. -- Ross Becker Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats |
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