
In
the 1930s, the natural pet rearing movement was started by herbalist Juliette
de Bairacli Levy who promoted a diet of raw food for dogs and cats. In
1993 Dr Ian Billinghurst revolutionised the way people were thinking
about pet food, taking us back to Nature. Both
Billinghurst, and Dr Tom Lonsdale (2001) researched the diet of wolves
and wild dogs and showed us that the natural meal plan of our dogs’
ancestors can help us to keep our beloved pets as happy and healthy as
they were meant to be.
A raw diet is the way nature intended. A species appropriate diet for dogs is one that mimics the way wolves and wild dogs eat in their natural habitat. They feed on the whole carcass, including the organs and the bones, which provides them with all the essential nutrients. They also forage for additional nutrients. Cats are natural carnivores, so their diet must reflect the prey that they would catch in nature.

· Pets who were previously un-energetic and sluggish become completely new animals once the raw diet feeding begins
· Allergies their pets previously had on commercial foods disappeared with the raw diet
· Arthritis has significantly reduced or disappeared in some dogs switched to raw foods
· Teeth are naturally clean - chewing on raw meaty bones helps scrape tartar off the teeth
· The
ripping and chewing involved in eating raw meaty bones develops the
jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles. Commercial foods will never assist in
this important muscle development
· Dry skin has cleared
· Stools are smaller and don't smell as bad
· Better weight control
· No more pet odour!
· Bitches managed their pregnancies better
· Their animals are living longer on a raw diet than what their other pets previously had
survived on commercial dog and cat foods
· Better
weight and survival figures in puppies and kittens. Puppies develop at
a more appropriate rate - and quick growth spurts are avoided.
A GOOD breeder will want to stop fast growth in any pup.
· Less cost for dog and cat food - commercial pet foods are ludicrously expensive
· Decreased vet bills (your dogs are healthier!)
More information on feeding your pets a raw natural diet can be found in books and on websites. Here are a few recommendations:
Give your Dog a Bone by Ian Billinghurst
Raw Meaty Bones by Tom Lonsdale
The Herbal Handook for Cats and Dogs by Juliette de Bairacli Levy
Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats by Kymythy Schultze
Dr Pitcairn's Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard Pitcairn
Raising Cats Naturally by Michelle Bernard
Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food by Anne Martin

Websites:
raw fed.com - dogs www.kittycat.co.za/