Will Demand for Species Appropriate Raw Diets Influence Traditional Pet Food Manufacturers?
Photo credit: Flickr User: Dave
There has been an increasing emphasis on the importance of feeding cats a well-balanced species appropriate diet. As a result, many kitty guardians have discovered the majority of the popular well-known brands of commercially prepared cat food are falling short of meeting their cats’ essential nutritional needs. In part these nutritional discrepancies are caused by the heat processing required to meet Governmental standards.
What also remains a great source of concern to cat guardians are the number of cat-food recalls caused by bacterial contamination, a presence of foreign substances or excess minerals and an insufficient level of vitamins.
I often hear from people whose cats have become sick after being fed their regular brand of cat food. But upon checking the pet food label they discovered that the product carries a different bar code. They are wondering if this may be the reason their pet became ill and they immediately check the list of pet foods that have recently been recalled.
As a result of these concerns many people have now started considering switching their cats to a more “natural” food; a food that more closely resembles what they would eat in their natural habitat. They are considering feeding a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food; more commonly known as B.A.R.F. It simply makes sense that feeding better nutrition to our cats will result in their better health.
With the growing body of knowledge about feline nutrition cat guardians are becoming aware that many common medical conditions such as allergies, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, dental disease and poor coat condition is often the result of an inadequate diet. And while some commercial cat foods are being touted as the “best” possible nutrition, they often contain grain and other carbohydrate-laden ingredients that can trigger these conditions.
But there is a fly in the ointment. In spite of the growing number of pet nutritionists who consider raw food diets as an excellent alternative to promote better feline health; according to Veterinarian Karen Becker, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)’s current policy on feeding raw or undercooked animal-source protein which has not been processed to eliminate any pathogens is greatly discouraged since it puts pets (and humans) at risk of becoming ill.
In June 2014, Colorado State University veterinarians warned of the dangers of feeding pets raw diets, stating the risks of contamination and the possibility of the diet being nutritionally imbalanced. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) followed suit and issued its own warnings of the potential of food poisoning in raw food diets.
This said, there seems to be a real “head scratcher in the pet food industry” according to Dr. Becker. Why is it that although feeding raw food diets to our pets is a huge “no-no” according to main stream veterinarians, The AVMA and Government officials, the raw food community appears to be growing by leaps and bounds? That’s a question upon which to we might wish to chew.
According to Dr. Becker, PetfoodIndustry.com concedes that when it comes to commercial raw pet food, “Whatever the controversy, there’s no doubting these categories are on the rise in the industry.”
Based on the growing number of cat guardians who are feeding their pets a safe, nutritionally complete, species appropriate raw diet, this writer is greatly heartened by Dr. Becker’s prediction that the demand by consumers will eventually have to influence the “traditional” commercial pet food manufacturers to meet that demand. And if they do, our cats are sure to reap the benefits
What is your opinion? Have you considered feeding your cats a B.A.R. F. diet? Share your thoughts in a comment.