From Bowl to Tail Maximizing Your Puppy s Health with Holistic Pet Food

What Is Holistic Dog Food

If youre looking to improve the nutritional content of your pets meals, or just seeking another healthy option for your cherished furry friend, theres a wide array of dog food choices out there. But, in this article, youll find the ideal dog food that aligns with your puppys requirements.

Organic vs Natural vs Low-Quality vs Holistic Food: Definition Guide

When it comes to pet food, these labels are used interchangeably as there are no regulations for the use of these terms. Hence, it would be better if you know how to distinguish the difference between one term to another.

Organic

To qualify as organic dog food and get the USDA organic seal, it should contain 95% organic ingredients by weight. If the dog food label claims that it is natural but does not have the organic seal, then it is only comprised of approximately 70% organically manufactures ingredients. In some cases in the pet food industry, different brands of pet food claim that their product is made out of organic ingredients. This implies that some ingredients are organic but not all ingredients should be necessarily compliant.

Natural

The Food and Drug https://www.wellpet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Featured-Image-Kyoto-Subways.jpgistration has no objection against dog foods labeled natural dog food as long as it is not misleading for the consumers and should use natural ingredients. It should not use synthetic substances that undergo a chemically synthetic process like food coloring, artificial flavors, and the like. [1]

The AAFCO defines the word natural as an animal feed or an ingredient derived solely from animal, plant, or mined sources. It could either be in its unprocessed state or subjected to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, fermentation, hydrolysis, and the like, as long as it did not undergo a chemically synthetic process, and does not contain additive and processing aids.

Low-quality

Low-quality dog foods frequently use low production costs and low quality and non-human-grade ingredients that are not safe for human consumption. This type of dog food may have also used ingredients that have undergone a chemically synthetic process and unlike natural dog food, some of its ingredients contain processing aids and additives that may affect your dogs health and manifest in its physical appearanceunshiny coat, dull eyes, lethargy, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and other digestive issues.

Holistic

The term holistic in dog foods does not have any legal definition as nutritional quality. Holistic is a marketing term that implies whole-body health. Since there is no legal definition for the term holistic, it is often used freely without any regulations. So, whenever the food label claims to be natural and holistic, only the word natural has the only real meaning. Holistic dog foods may be made of human-grade quality and natural ingredients, and underwent good manufacturing practices, without by-product, filler, or waste material.

Holistic Dog Food Ingredients List

Although different holistic pet food brands differ in nutrient sources, all components are expected to contribute to providing the following essential nutrients for your pup:

• Digestive enzymes
• Natural fiber
• Herbs
• Essential fatty acids vitamin and minerals
• Prebiotics and probiotics
• Wholesome grains
• Protein
• Antioxidants

Benefits Of Holistic Dog Food

Holistic dog food can be quite expensive but the benefits that come along with providing your dog a holistic diet are limitless. Some of its benefits include and are not limited to the following:

Improved Skin Health

Holistic foods contain vitamin E and fish oil that maintain the good overall skin health of your dogs. Hence, if your dog suffers from flaking and dry skin that can be sometimes very itchy, consider feeding raw food or a holistic diet that contains a significant amount of oil to help the skin stay hydrated.

Better Coat Health

Unless your pets breed has a naturally dull coat, the dog will have significantly better coat health, having a shinier coat if fed with holistic nourishment. Your dog will also significantly shed lesser than before. The benefit of feeding holistic dog food to your pup lies in its key ingredient- fish oil.

Greater Heart Health

Holistic dog food contains quality protein that will improve your dogs overall heart health. Holistic dog food blends are manufactured using leaner meat proteins to lessen the likelihood of your dog experiencing weight-related issues. Additionally, consuming leaner protein instead of fatty meat will promote a stronger and healthy heart condition.

Sharpened Eye Health

Holistic dog food labels include antioxidant-rich ingredients that can positively impact your dogs overall eye health. Feeding your dog with holistic foods that have high-quality ingredients will help minimize the risk of older dogs acquiring an optic health problem.

Fewer Bowel Movements

Unlike a dog that consumes lower quality food, a holistic food diet does not trigger more frequent bowel movements since as many holistic foods are grain-free.

Superior Intestinal Health

Pups that are fed holistic food will have much better intestinal health. This is for the reason that higher quality dog food like holistic foods contains probiotics that are formulated to aid the healthy bacteria flourish in your dogs intestines that help promote healthy digestion. Dogs that experience upset stomachs and poor nutrition from eating commercial dog food need to transition to probiotic-rich natural food to improve their digestive health.

More Energy

Healthier foods are not only associated with reduced risk of health conditions, but they can also imply whole-body health and increased energy levels. When your dog eats poor quality food, its body needs to exert additional energy to break it down to take the needed essential nutrients. Higher quality food, on the other hand, requires lesser energy needed for the breakdown process, allowing your dog to spend the energy surplus on their day-to-day activities.

Healthier Feces

While low-quality dog foods may lead to constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems, high-quality dog food contains organic ingredients that would not disrupt your dogs digestive process.

Fewer Allergies

Some dogs that usually have food allergies thrive more on holistic or natural dog food. Most holistic practitioners note that allergic reactions are typically the result of some kind of system imbalance, underlying health problem, or weakenedimmune system.Some dogs are allergic to wheat, gluten, and grains so, they resort to giving their pups holistic, grain-free pet food. This may lessen the appearance of hotspots, itchy skin, hair loss, excessive licking, as well as flay skin.

How To Choose The Best Holistic Dog Food?

Dog owners can choose from different choices of holistic dog foods. For your information, holistic foods come in different variations- standard kibble or dry food, canned as well as in raw preparations, and under the raw preparations, holistic food is categorized into chub formulations, raw patty, or freeze-dried foods.

Talk to a veterinarian

Many pet owners need to know that talking to a veterinarian prior to making changes in their dogs food will help them choose the best dog food for their dog that fits perfectly for their dogs needs. It will also ensure that your dog will receive the nutrition it needs based on age, breed, and lifestyle.

Take note that your dog may not go well with natural food or limited-ingredient foods. Similarly, choosing home-cooked diets can be a lot of work, considering that you have other tasks to do. You may do your own diligence to ask other pet owners and research about the best pet nutrition on the internet but to cut all the legwork, you may directly set an appointment with your dogs vet.

Research about the holistic dog food brands

You may want to look into the canine foods ingredients whenever you are looking for the best holistic dog food for your dog through the internet. You should research the name of the company, as well as the manufacturer for yourself. This is to make sure that you give the best holistic pet foods for your pet.

In researching about the dog food brand, you should also research the dog food brands recall history, formulation, and quality control. The recall history of the pet food company can be a major red flag to avoid. You might want to choose brands that have no frequent and recent recalls. Similarly, if the company brand has established quality control, it will ensure that the canine foods are accurately labeled and are free of contaminants. Finally, you need to ensure that the formulation of the dog food best suits your dogs nutritional needs.

Look for the AAFCO in pet food labels

Having the label from the Association of the American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ensures that your dog is eating complete and balanced nutrition. The AAFCO is responsible for setting the standard for optimal nutrition for dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is holistic the same as grain-free?

No, not all holistic food is grain-free. The same applies to the fact that not all grain-free diets are holistic food. In defiance of the popular belief that grains are bad for dogs as they may trigger specific health issues, some holistic labeled foods contain small amounts of grain that may provide benefits to help improve the overall well-being of your pup.

How much does holistic dog food cost?

Holistic pet food costs a lot more expensive than other generic, or low-quality pet foods available in the market. At first glance, you may think that you can save money if you remove holistic pet foods from your list, think again! Holistic food is relatively more expensive than any other food label for a reason. It uses top-quality ingredients paired with good manufacturing practices and does not include ingredients that are not safe as human food.

Which holistic dog food do you recommend?

The holistic dog food that is recommended for you and for your dog is anything from the highly trusted brands available in the market such as Solid Gold Holistic Dry Dog Food and Earthborn Holistic Ocean Whitefish. If it is your first time buying holistic dog food for your own pup, bear in mind that you do not want to take risks in trying new pet foods without the approval of your veterinarian or anyone that is knowledgeable regarding dogs health.

Conclusion

Choosing what is best for your dog isnt always that easy. You must take into account your dogs age, size, breed, medical problem, including your own budget. The best way to deal with your dilemma besides doing diligent research is to consult a veterinary nutritionist that may guide you on the food that is best for you and your dog.

How to Select the Right Holistic Dog Food

Inside This Article

Is Holistic Dog Food a Real Thing?

Increasingly, health-conscious humans are exploring holistic food for themselves, and, naturally, want to provide the same type of wholesome food for their dogs. But what exactly is holistic dog food? The term is often heard, but what does it mean?

This article will help clear up the confusion with the help of two holistic veterinarians: Dr. Tiffany Margolin and Dr. Michael Dym. Well also explore the benefits of holistic dog food, what to look for on food labels, a chart to help you tell the difference between natural, organic, holistic, and grain-free dog food, and a comparison of top holistic dog food brands.

What Is Holistic Dog Food?

Dr. Michael Dym, VMD has a holistically oriented practice providing natural treatments including homeopathy, vaccine alternatives, and nutritional and dietary therapy at his Florida clinic. According to Dr. Dym, Holisticdog food means food that nurtures the mental, emotional, and physical bodies of our animals with as fresh and varied ingredients as possible. This means the foods are minimally processed, which is in contrast to most commercial dog foods that leach out many critical ingredients, include cheap protein sources, and use toxic preservatives to increase shelf life.

Is There a Legal Definition of Holistic in the Pet Food Industry?

While the term is widely used, theres no strict legal definition of holistic in pet foods. Unfortunately, in the modern era, the termholistic dog foodis a catch-all phrase that has been exploited by increasingly large numbers of corporate-owned pet food companies. Its led to an ever-increasing sea of confusing choices for the animal guardian and consumer, explains Dr. Dym.

Dr. Tiffany Margolin DVM, CVAis a practicing veterinarian specializing in exotic pets and provides a mobile vet service calledFrom the Heartin Southern California. Based on her experience as a holistic vet for over 25 years, she offers her viewpoint on holistic pet food. The termholisticdoesnt carry enough information. Dog food brands labeled as holistic can contain a whole bunch of things that arent necessarily good for your pet.In other words, you need to dig deep to understand the contents of holistic foods and the health value to your pet.

Dog Food and Regulatory Standards

Can consumers look to regulatory entities to ensure the quality of dog food? There are a few options available that can help. Here are the facts and links to relevant government agencies for further exploration:

• The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA):The Federal Food and Cosmetic Act is the law that covers pet food. It specifies that pet food sold to the public is safe, is produced to sanitary standards, contains no substances that could harm companion animals, and is labeled honestly. However, there are no pre-market approvals required for manufacturers, and the FDA works with the Department of Agriculture to regulate pet food. Here are links to theFDA Regulation of Pet FoodandInformation on Marketing a Pet Food Product
• Rendered Meats in Pet Food:Theuse of 3D and 4D meats(dead, diseased, dying, or destroyed) are allowed as pet food ingredients. The FDA states:

Rendered animal feed ingredients include the various poultry, meat, and marine products which result from the rendering of these animal tissues. Rendering of poultry and other animal tissues has been practiced for over a hundred years as a means of salvaging valuable protein and fat content from otherwise waste material. For many years end products from rendering have been used to feed animals. The rendering industry utilizes packinghouse offal, meat processing waste, restaurant waste and animal tissues from other sources including animals that have died otherwise than by slaughter.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):The USDA has no regulatory authority over pet food and only regulates meat and other food for human consumption. USDAs pet food certification program is voluntary and not recognized by the FDA or USDA. Once meat becomes a pet food its no longer the responsibility of the USDA. TheAPHIS(Animal Plant Health Inspection Services) division of the USDA has minor oversight of pet food intended for export outside the U.S.
• The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO):AAFCOhas no regulatory authority over pet food, nor have they established definitions for natural, organic or holistic pet foods. AAFCO is a non-governmental organization that has FDA and State Department of Agriculture members. Members act as advisors and write Model Bills, which may or may not be accepted by states. AAFCO has established the nutritional requirements of dog and cat food, legal definitions of all pet food/animal feed ingredients, and labeling requirements. But the organization doesnt make access to the information very easy: AAFCOs Pet Food Labeling Guide is only available through online ordering at a cost of $100 for members and $200 for non-members.

Reading and Understanding Dog Food Labels

Understanding how to read pet food labels is the first step to feeding your dog exactly what you intend to give themyou cant trust the front of the package because the real truth lies on the flip side.

Dr. Dym notes that dog food labels list ingredients by weight in descending order. Usually, the first through seventh ingredients are the main components. You should look for wholesome ingredients in that section of the label and avoid foods that include partial grains, by-products, and unnamed meat meals in the top ingredients. Grains can cause allergies in a dog, while by-products typically consist of non-meat material extracted from slaughtered mammals that are deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Dr. Dym also advises that while meat meal may sound wholesome, it includes meat from any source, including 3 and 4-D animals.

The No List: What You Dont Feed Is as Important as What You Do Feed

Many of us humans are becoming steadily more aware of the harm that chemical and preservatives in our food can cause. The same holds true for our pets, and it makes sense to avoid specific ingredients in your pets food that should be avoided in human food. If you want to provide the cleanest possible diet for your dog, you may need to just say no to many different types of additives that are commonly found in pet food:

• No Antibiotics:Humans and pets need to limit their exposure to antibiotics because superbugs are being created that are hard to treat. Antibiotics also kill the good bacteria that produce hormones and vitamins and elbow out harmful bacteria. Killing off good bacteria can make your pet vulnerable to chronic bowel and skin conditions caused by yeast overgrowth and damage the immune system.
• No Grains:Dogs evolved primarily as meat eaters. Although now domesticated, our pets digestive tracts and pancreas are not efficient in utilizing plant material as a source of high-quality protein. Why is grain an ingredient in dog food at all? They are cheap fillers.
• No Artificial Preservatives:Dym says that artificial preservatives are known to, or are suspected to, cause cancer in humans, and its likely that they do the same in our smaller canine companions, although they tend to be added in the same amounts as in human foods. Examples of preservatives that should be avoided include nitrate, sodium nitrate, BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. So far, studies of chronic preservative intake are inadequate for us to understand the consequencesbut avoidance may be the best course of action, explains Dr. Dym. Natural preservatives are made from Vitamins C or E.
• No Dyes:Artificial food dyes areproven sources of health problemsin humans, and every year more of them are deemed unsafe and removed from the market. Their purpose is to look more appealing to humans so why are they in dog food? For the same reason: to make pet food more appealing to human eyes. They are an unnecessary and likely harmful addition to pet foods that should be avoided.
• No Hormones:Hormones are in dog food because it has been used in the livestock feed given to cattle, birds, or dairy products that end up in your pets food bowl. Hormones are usually given to make animals grow larger, for cows to produce more milk, and grow faster so they can be brought to market more quickly. Additional hormones in human and animal food can cause reproductive problems in pets, early puberty, and weight issues.
• No Pesticides:Chemical or biological agents that protect crops from infections, weeds, and insects may sound like a good thing. However, they have been found to cause diarrhea, confusion, anxiety, and nausea at low levels. At high levels, these agents can be associated with more severe problems like neurological disorders, skin conditions, respiratory and reproductive problems in humans, and many animal experts extend those to pets.
• No Fillers or By-Products:Fillers and by-products are only beneficial because they save money and make money for commercial pet food companies. You definitely dont want these ingredients in your dogs food:

What Are Fillers?Fillers add no nutritional value. They add bulk or fiber and weight, but not much else, to commercial dog food. Dogs do require some dietary fiber, but according to Dr. Dym, Whole grains and vegetables are a preferred fiber source. Avoid rice bran, wheat mill run, pulps, and hulls. At the very least, they should not be in the main list of ingredients. Dr. Dym also wants to make pet food consumers aware of an additional type of filler: plant-based protein boosters. These fillers, such as soybean meal, corn, corn germ meal and corn gluten should be avoided, says Dr. Dym They are stand-ins for more holistic meat proteins.

What Are By-Products?By-products are a polite name for non-meat material extracted from slaughtered mammals that are deemed unsuitable for human consumption by rendering (cooking). By-products include fatty tissue, stomach, intestines, kidney, spleen, lungs, or other body parts. This is an economical method for commercial dog food companies to be able to claim high protein levels while lowering production costs. While by-products are not optimal, by-products from a specific animal species (beef by-products or chicken by-products) are preferable to those generically identified as meat by-products or poultry by-products.

The Yes List: Keeping Your Dog Safe and Healthy with a High-Quality Diet

Since AAFCO doesnt have a standard for holistic dog food, we hope this article and list will help you create your own guidelines. For canine caretakers who are concerned about providing the cleanest possible food for their pet, this yes list is similar to what conscientious consumers look for in their own food:

• Balance:Balanced food provides your dog with optimal nutrition and supports overall well-being. Select ingredients with their unique purpose in mind, whether its to improve digestibility or include fatty acids. Since dogs have different nutritional needs, there can be variations among types of holistic dog food blends.
• Quality:Quality has everything to do with how food is produced to ensure that it doesnt have any of the no items on its ingredient list. Looking at the sourcing details is an excellent way to determine if the holistic dog food you buy is high-quality. Plus, you can have peace of mind when you know the brand of pet food you buy makes a point of carefully sourcing where and how animals are raised, and that other ingredients in the food are certified organic.
• Human Grade:To label a food as a human grade dog food, the ingredients must be suitable for humans, and the food itself must meet FDA manufacturing and packaging regulations. That means that if its good for you, its good for your pet, too. Youll still want to check ingredients to ensure they meet the highest standards, including your own since not all human grade food is organic.
• Whole Foods: Just as health-conscious people want to eat complete, whole foods, they should also look for the same level of nutrition for their pets. Optimal foods should have whole meats, fruits, and vegetables that have been minimally processed and grown without hormones, antibiotics or pesticides.
• Vitamins, Minerals, and Fatty Acids:Micronutrients in a dogs diet are as important as they are in yours. Depending on your dogs particular needs and health issues, it can be helpful to add natural vitamins that support good health and fatty acids that promote healthy skin and coat. Inorganic compounds and minerals are derived from the earth and are absorbed by plants. In turn, humans and animals ingest minerals from plants or the plant-eating animals they consume but often arent absorbed by the digestive tract. Chelated minerals are much easier to absorb, and are usually a sign of higher quality dog food. In general, since the ancestry of dogs is that of prey animals, pet foods made from farm animals may not provide the right balance of fats, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Holistic dog foods that emulate the ancestral diet add some of these nutrients to support optimal canine health.

Natural, Organic, Grain Free, and Holistic Dog Food

There are differences between the types of healthy dog foods, but consumers need to be aware and read labels carefully. The truth is that whats on the front of the packaging may not be a good reflection of the product inside. Understanding the meaning of different designations is a place to start as is the following chart which helps describe classifications, their real meaning, and the restrictions on using them.

The Benefits of Holistic Dog Food

Natural holistic pet food is better for the canine companion. As Hippocrates, the father of medicine says,Let Food Be Thy Medicine, and I agree, says Dr. Dym. Processed and toxic pet foods are one of the top three major factors in the epidemic of chronic disease and cancer seen in pets today, and feeding wholesome food is the single most important decision a canine guardian can make toward a life of good health and longevity.

Here is a list of holistic food benefits:

• Digestibility:A dog that is fed holistic food tends to have much better intestinal health because these foods frequently contain probiotics. These types of ingredients are formulated to help healthy bacteria flourish in your dogs intestines which aids in healthy digestion. Many highly-processed dog foods are difficult to digest and cause irritation to the GI tract. Senior pets who are suffering from the cumulative effects of years of poor nutrition often benefit from more easily absorbed food.
• Increased Energy:In a higher-quality food, the nutrients are more readily available for use. When a dog eats poor quality food, the body expends more energy to break down and access nutrients. She has less energy to play, be an enthusiastic companion, perform tasks, and/or train.
• Skin Health:Dry, flaky skin and a dull coat are reflections of the state of your dogs overall health and nutritional status. Ear infections can be a chronic problem and are closely linked to diet. Treatment with topical and oral medicines for extended periods of time may not resolve the issue, but a grain-free, wholesome diet can drastically improve the condition.
• Eye Health:Antioxidant-rich ingredients are good for your dogs overall health and also support eye health. As dogs age, many will experience eyesight issues, and some breeds have a tendency towards eye trouble. A holistic dog food diet can help to mitigate these concerns.
• Heart Health:Holistic dog foods are usually less fatty than standard brands, which means your dog will be leaner and have fewer of the weight issues that affect heart function.
• Bowel Health:The fillers in lower quality food contribute to more frequent bowel movements. Making the switch to a grain-free holistic diet can reduce the need for potty breaks to just once or twice a day. Plus, improved digestibility supports your dogs colon health.
• Healthier/Shinier Coat:A dog who is getting the right nutrition with healthy digestion will have a shiny coat and will shed less. An ingredient that supports coat health is fish oil, which is why many holistic foods use fish oil supplements.
• Fewer Allergies:Most dogs with allergies thrive on holistic foods, usually because the causegrain sensitivityhas been removed. Look for holistic food rich in vitamin E and fish oil.
• Longevity:When your pet is well fed with holistic, natural food and has a healthier heart, better digestion and bowel health you can help extend your buddys life.

Choosing a food with nutritious, all-natural ingredients can help ensure your pet stays healthy and happy for years to come.

Comparing Holistic Dog Food Brands

I stress to my clients to look for foods whose ingredient list includes at least two out of three of the first ingredients listed as either whole meat or meat meals, and NOT meat by-products or processed parts of indigestible grains, explains Dr. Dym. The food should be made with fresh, wholesome ingredients, free of artificial preservatives, dyes, and colorings, including BHA, BHT, etc. It should be naturally preserved with tocopherols and vitamin C. The longevity (meaning how long the product has been in the marketplace) of the pet food, as well as holistic veterinarian experiences, relationships or veterinary testimonials, can help consumers assess a brands trustworthiness.

Dr. Margolin adds, Dog food that includes simple ingredients are best. However, products with multiple sources of proteins can cause a sensitivity, especially with chicken. Its important to check the ingredients in the dog food youre purchasing to make sure mass-produced poultry isnt part of the blend.

When youre shopping for the best, most wholesome food for your dog, consult with your veterinarian and look for the ingredients that will support your dogs good health. To make selecting a holistic dog food more straightforward, heres a comparison chart of the foremost holistic dog food brands:

Darwins and the Power of Feeding Holistic Dog Food for Achieving Optimum Health

Recent nutritional science increasingly supports an ancestral diethigh protein, balanced fats, and at least some fresh foodsas the healthiest approach to feeding most dogs. You can count on Darwins raw food to be holistic, natural, free of hormones, steroids, and antibiotics. A key element of holistic dog food is sourcing ingredients from a known source. We visit every farm that raises the animals we use in our meals to make sure they employ good farming practices and treat both their animals and employees with respect.

At Darwins Pet Products, our number one goal is to helpkeep your pets healthy and active for as long as possible. To help accomplish this goal, we provide a library of articles in the hope of providing consumers with useful information to help their pets.And, primarily, we produce affordable, high-quality raw dog and cat meals which we ship directly to consumers so they are as fresh and convenient as possible. Our meals are high in protein, gluten-free, wheat-free, and are created to provide complete and balanced nutrition. We encourage you to learn more about ourmeals for dogsandmeals for cats.

If you think you might want a trial ofDarwins (at an introductory price), we would love to send you our meals and hear how much your dog or cat loves them.

Lets Connect!

Darwins Pet Food Advisors are here for you and your dog. Learn more about the high-quality standards of our pet foods and how raw can benefit your dog.

Call a Pet Food Advisor at 877-738-6325 oremail us.