Natural Feeding
Natural feeding is known to maintain a healthy digestive system, coat
and skin, mobility and immune system as well as preventing
hyperactivity associated with 'E.numbers'. As such Natural Feeding is
highly recommended by holistic veterinary surgeons.
Natural Feeding is intended to mirror the diet of the un-domesticated
dog, which is meat, carbohydrate and vegetables, all of which are
obtained from its prey and by scavenging. It excludes the use of
ingredients which are commonly found in commercial pet foods, such as
artificial products, sugars, dairy products, the wrong types and
amounts of carbohydrates, and by-products.
Natural Feeding is normally achieved by making up the diet from
individual ingredients. It is a growing trend, particularly amongst
breeders, but it is time consuming and can be relatively expensive for
the single dog owner.
All In One Diet
A convenient alternative to preparing individual raw materials is to
use All in One diet. It is not expensive, embraces
the principles of Natural Feeding, and is the only complete food
certified by the British Association of Holistic Nutrition and
Medicine, a veterinary group operating a registered national
certification scheme.
All In One is a complete food, which reflects the natural diet of the
dog. All nutrients, including (uniquely) vitamins and pro-vitamins, are
contained in the raw materials. It is made from human grade meat, properly
balanced carbohydrates and vegetables with nothing added.
Optional Extras
Although, technically, our product All in One is a complete natural
diet in itself, and nothing else is required, we think that dogs are
individuals with individual tastes and should be treated as such. Like
humans, they thrive on variety and this can be provided through optional extras, which should be compatible with natural feeding
principles. Suitable optional extras could be made up with a range of
fresh green vegetables, other types of meat and raw bones. Most
processed food should be avoided. If you are not sure what else could
be used as extras please call the free veterinary careline.
Many owners give All-in-One during the week and prepare other
food for their dogs at the weekend when they have more time. Remember, optional extras are just that, they are a novel alternative, not a
requirement.
Amounts of optional extras
We suggest that All in One can be given as say 85-90% of the total
diet, which can be less, provided the owner has enough knowledge of
nutrition to provide the balance from individual ingredients.
Vegetables
Suitable vegetables would be cabbage, sprouts, broccoli and other
similar green varieties, plus soft fruit occasionally. All vegetables
should be lightly cooked or liquidised otherwise the dog cannot digest
them properly. Starchy root vegetables such as potato and parsnip
should be kept to a minimum. Dairy products, salt, spicy, and sugary
foods, should not be given.
Meat
Lamb, beef, boneless fish, chicken, plus other types of meat except pork, are all suitable.
Bones
Cooked bones should never be given and there are some rules about
feeding bones, which are mostly common sense. Small splintery bones
should be avoided if the dog is unused to eating them; also dogs which
are likely to fight should not be left with a bone unsupervised. Large knucklebones are the best as
they are less likely to cause problems and provide hours of
entertainment.
Remember, optional extras are just that, they are a novel alternative, not a
requirement.